PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Cathaway (ranked 1068 p4p, 145 weight class) and Alexander Usikov (ranked 805 p4p, 109 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cathaway
vs
Usikov

183 cm
29
195 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

175 cm
35
195 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jimmy Cathaway!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cathaway misses with a low kick.
Cathaway has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Usikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Usikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Usikov rushes Cathaway and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cathaway blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Cathaway breaks from the clinch.
Usikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cathaway checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cathaway half committed to a counter leg kick.
Usikov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Usikov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Usikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Usikov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cathaway on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cathaway thows a left - swing and a miss!
A leg kick checked by Usikov.
Cathaway scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Usikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A solid leg kick lands there for Usikov.
Usikov lands with a slapping head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cathaway smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Usikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cathaway manages to avoid it.
Usikov throws a low kick but Cathaway moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Usikov.
Cathaway looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Usikov lands with a good body shot.
Usikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cathaway cracks a nice hook into Usikov's ribs.
Cathaway is looking to slow Usikov down with leg kicks.
A punch combination from Usikov misses.
Cathaway tried to counter with a leg kick but Usikov avoided it.
Cathaway looks to land a left hand but Usikov moved out of range nicely.
Cathaway misses with a low kick.
Usikov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Cathaway motions for Usikov to come forward. Cathaway throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Usikov looks to land a combination but Cathaway avoids it well.
Usikov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cathaway misses with a straight right.
Usikov misses with a low kick.
Decent striking displayed by Usikov there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cathaway connects with an inside leg kick.
Usikov throws a series of punches but Cathaway moves out of range.
Cathaway lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cathaway throws a leg kick which misses Usikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Usikov tries to avoid it.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses.
Usikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cathaway. Cathaway obviously looking to wear him down.
Good exchange - Usikov coming out on top.
Cathaway throws a hook but Usikov avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as Usikov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cathaway doesn't seem phased though.
Cathaway throws a shot from downtown. Usikov moves away and avoids it.
Usikov staying out of range there.
That kick from Usikov tenderised Cathaway's leg. Cathaway is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cathaway throws a shot from downtown. Usikov moves away and avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Usikov.
Cathaway motions for Usikov to come forward. Cathaway throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Usikov misses with a hook.
Cathaway throws a low kick but Usikov moves out of range easily.
Cathaway scores with a crisp jab that stopped Usikov in his tracks.

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Usikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cathaway jabs at Usikov's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Usikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cathaway ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Usikov moves away.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Cathaway swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Usikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Cathaway off the cage and back into range.
Some bone on bone action there as Usikov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Usikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cathaway just misses with a punch to the body.
Usikov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Usikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cathaway takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Usikov wants to land a leg kick but Cathaway is out of range.
Cathaway is looking to counter punch.
Usikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cathaway to score with a decent uppercut.
Usikov blocks the body kick.
Usikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Usikov.
Cathaway throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Usikov blocks a jab.
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Cathaway sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cathaway swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cathaway throws a leg kick

and Usikov counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cathaway blocks it with crossed arms.
Cathaway is looking to break free of the clinch but Usikov has double underhooks.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Cathaway tries a body shot but Usikov blocks it.
Cathaway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.
Cathaway tries to throw a body punch but Usikov avoids it by throwing Cathaway back against the cage.
Cathaway working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cathaway blocks an elbow strike from Usikov.
A nice left hand lands by Usikov.

It looks like Jimmy Cathaway has been cut.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Cathaway blocking some punches.
Usikov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Usikov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cathaway is trying to force a seperation but Usikov has the dominant position.
Cathaway pressing his opponent against the cage.
Cathaway wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Usikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Alexander Usikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Usikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Usikov tries to clinch there but Cathaway circles away.
Usikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cathaway misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cathaway. Usikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cathaway thows a left - swing and a miss!
Usikov slips a jab from Cathaway.
Usikov with a nice cross.
Usikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cathaway misses with a shot to the body
letting Usikov counter with a right hand.
Usikov misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Usikov misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cathaway misses with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Usikov.
Cathaway connects with a solid leg kick.

Usikov darts in and clinches Cathaway up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Cathaway blocks with his arms.
Usikov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cathaway's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Cathaway avoids the damage to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cathaway lands a shot to the body.
A knee to the head by Usikov.
Cathaway lands a body shot.
Usikov lands an elbow that stopped Cathaway in his tracks for a moment.
Cathaway digs a right hand underneath Usikov's ribcage. Usikov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cathaway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Cathaway blocks with his arms.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cathaway blocks a body shot from Usikov.
Good body shot from Cathaway.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cathaway is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cathaway has had enough of the clinch but Usikov keeps him there for the moment.

Cathaway's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A shot to the body from Usikov misses
and Cathaway counters with a nice uppercut.
Usikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cathaway misses with a hook

and Usikov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Usikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cathaway.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cathaway pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slow jab from Usikov misses its intended target.
Usikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Some bone on bone action there as Usikov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Usikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Usikov is looking to slow Cathaway down with leg kicks.

Usikov clinches with his opponent.
Cathaway takes a knee right on the jaw!
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cathaway has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cathaway wants to break the clinch but can't.
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cathaway has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cathaway looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cathaway blocks it with crossed arms.
Cathaway lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cathaway is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Cathaway blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov missing with knees to the body.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Usikov lands a nice elbow.

Cathaway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Usikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cathaway throws a low kick but Usikov avoids it.
A clash of legs there as Usikov blocks the low kick.
Usikov looks to throw the jab but Cathaway is out of range.
Cathaway misses with a looping right.
Usikov misses with a body shot
and Cathaway counters with a low kick, right behind Usikov 's knee.
Usikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
An attempted straight right counter from Cathaway misses the target.
Usikov throws a jab when Cathaway was well out of range.
Usikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cathaway tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cathaway throws the left hand but Usikov avoids the punch easily.
A little jabbing left from Usikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Usikov wants to clinch up but Cathaway keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cathaway takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Usikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Usikov blocks a body shot from Cathaway.
Usikov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Jimmy Cathaway's cut is getting worse.
Cathaway is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cathaway looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cathaway is trying to break the clinch but Usikov has him pressed against the cage.
Usikov connects with a knee to the head.
Usikov lands a nice elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Usikov lands with a right to the head.
Usikov landing knees to the head.

Jimmy Cathaway's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Usikov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Usikov with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Usikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Usikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cathaway lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cathaway tries to break free but Usikov pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cathaway.
Cathaway tries a body shot but Usikov blocks it.
Usikov scores with a knee to the head.
Cathaway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Usikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Cathaway backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Usikov obliges.
Usikov lands an elbow just above Cathaway 's eye.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Usikov.
Usikov throws an elbow that misses.
Cathaway tries a body shot but Usikov blocks it.
Cathaway lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Usikov trying to stall but Cathaway improves his position.
Cathaway tries to circle away but Usikov has him pinned against the cage.

Cathaway breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cathaway tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Usikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Cathaway.

Usikov forces Cathaway back against the cage and clinches.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cathaway avoids it.
Cathaway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cathaway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
Cathaway is trying to break the clinch but Usikov has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Usikov.

Jeez, Jimmy Cathaway's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Cathaway working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Usikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cathaway is looking to break free of the clinch but Usikov has double underhooks.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Cathaway misses with some punches.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Cathaway is blocking nicely.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Cathaway blocks it.

Cathaway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cathaway misses with a wild body shot.
Cathaway lands a glancing blow to the side of Usikov's head.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Usikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cathaway throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Usikov throws a solid leg kick but Cathaway takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Usikov.
Usikov throws a leg kick
and Cathaway counters with a slapping leg kick.
Usikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Usikov throws a right hand that misses
and Cathaway counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Usikov slips a jab from Cathaway.
Cathaway throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Usikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Cathaway blocks a low kick nicely.
Cathaway throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Usikov misses with an uppercut. Cathaway saw that one coming.
Cathaway feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Cathaway avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alexander Usikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cathaway scores with a body shot.

Usikov closes the distance and clinches.
Usikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Cathaway breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cathaway takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Usikov!
Cathaway throws a big shot that misses.
Cathaway misses the shot to the body.
Usikov scores with a jab.
Cathaway throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Usikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cathaway on the side of the head.
Usikov checks a low kick from Cathaway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Cathaway.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Usikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Usikov clinches with his opponent.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cathaway.
Cathaway wants to break free but Usikov has control.

Cathaway breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Usikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Cathaway is just out of range.
Usikov stalks Cathaway and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cathaway's face. Cathaway staggers backwards, shaken.
Cathaway throws a body shot but no joy.
Usikov wants to clinch but Cathaway slips to the side
and Cathaway connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Usikov thumps Cathaway with a low kick.
Usikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cathaway is looking to chop away at Usikov's legs.
Jimmy Cathaway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cathaway misses with a low kick.
Cathaway scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Usikov doesn't seem bothered though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Usikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Usikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Usikov!
Alexander Usikov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.